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Unintentional as well as intentional electromagnetic interference can cause interference and performance degradation of microwave circuits or systems. In this article, a modified multiport lumped-network finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD) method based on Y-matrix is proposed, where bilinear transform is used to incorporate the V–I relation of the lumped-network into FDTD iteration. It is further used for simulating transient responses of mesfet -based amplifiers, which are often used in many radar and communication systems. The excitation of such an RF amplifier is assumed to be an intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI) signal but with different waveforms and magnitudes. Parametric studies are performed to show hybrid effects of waveforms and magnitudes of the IEMI signals on the transient coupled voltages at the output port of such mesfet -based amplifier, with useful information obtained for understanding the interaction process between the intentional electromagnetic interference signals and active components.

A simply fabricated, highly sensitive, and inexpensive optical fiber temperature sensor is reported with a Fabry–Perot (FP) microcavity of controlled length. The microcavity with controllable length is fabricated by single-mode fiber (SMF) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for temperature sensing. After the PDMS is cured, the SMF is connected to the supercontinuum light source (SCLS) and the optical spectrometer analyzer (OSA) for online observation of the reflection spectrum. The micro-displacement platform is used to pull the SMF to form an air cavity. After the air cavity is stabilized, ultraviolet (UV) activated glue is used for packaging outside the PDMS. The FP microcavity is formed by the end face of the SMF and the face of PDMS. The length of the FP microcavity can be controlled online by the micro-displacement platform to a minimum of 15 µm. The free spectral range (FSR) may reach 74.8 nm and the interference fringe contrast (IFC) is up to 19.8 dB to allow sensitive measurements across a wide temperature range. The experiments demonstrate a high temperature sensitivity of 5.388 nm/°C from 33 to 93 °C with high repeatability and linearity (R2=0.9937). Stability experiments showed that the maximum changes in wavelength and intensity are only 45 pm and 0.035 dB, respectively. It is anticipated that the easily constructed, compact, and inexpensive fiber-optic temperature sensor will be employed in practical applications.

An optical fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer based on double S-tapers is proposed for strain sensing. The double S-taper strain sensor is formed by two steps. The fiber is pulled during arc dischar...

Background: The correlation between soluble Klotho (sKlotho) level and vascular calcification (VC) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial. Using meta-analysis, we aimed to address this controversy and assess the feasibility of applying sKlotho as a biomarker for VC.Methods: Medical electronic databases were thoroughly searched for eligible publications on the association between sKlotho level and VC in CKD patients. Effectors, including correlation coefficients (r), odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratio (HR) or β-values, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and combined according to study design or effector calculation method. Pooled effectors were generated using both random-effects models and fixed-effects models according to I2-value. Origin of heterogeneity was explored by sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis.Results: Ten studies with 1,204 participants from a total of 1,199 publications were eligible and included in this meta-analysis. The combined correlation coefficient (r) was [−0.33 (−0.62, −0.04)] with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 89%, p < 0.001) based on Spearman correlation analysis, and this significant association was also demonstrated in subgroups. There was no evidence of publication bias. The combined OR was [3.27 (1.70, 6.30)] with no evidence of heterogeneity (I2 = 0%, p = 0.48) when sKlotho was treated as a categorical variable or [1.05 (1.01, 1.09)] with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 63%, p = 0.10) when sKlotho was treated as a continuous variable based on multivariate logistic regression. No significant association was observed and the pooled OR was [0.29 (0.01, 11.15)] with high heterogeneity (I2 = 96%, p < 0.001) according to multivariate linear regression analysis. There was an inverse association between sKlotho and parathyroid hormone levels. The combined coefficient (r) was [−0.20 (−0.40, −0.01)] with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 86%, p < 0.001), and without obvious publication bias. No significant association was found between sKlotho and calcium or phosphate levels.Conclusion: There exists a significant association between decreased sKlotho level and increased risk of VC in CKD patients. This raises the possibility of applying sKlotho as a biomarker for VC in CKD populations. Large, prospective, well-designed studies or interventional clinical trials are required to validate our findings.

Objective. The prognostic role of Klotho in patients with chronic kidney disease is still controversial. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to assess the relationship between the low sKlotho level and the risk of adverse kidney outcomes. Materials and Methods. We systematically searched medical databases, such as PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, for eligible publications regarding the relationship between the low sKlotho level and risk of adverse kidney outcomes. The quality of included studies was assessed by using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Combined hazard ratios (HRs) and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random- or fixed-effect model. Subgroup analysis was conducted with stratification by age, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), follow-up interval, region, and study quality. All data was analyzed by RevMan 5.3 analysis software. Results. Eight cohort studies with 3586 participants from 3818 studies were included in our final analysis. Levels of sKlotho were significantly correlated with the eGFR, with a summary correlation coefficient r and 95% CI of 0.469 (0.226, 0.658). Additionally, low sKlotho levels were strongly associated with increased adverse kidney outcomes, and the pooled HR and its 95% CI were 1.64 (1.19, 2.26; P=0.002), despite publication bias and statistical heterogeneity (I2=52%, P=0.07). Furthermore, this positive correlation was still observed in all of the subgroup analyses. However, heterogeneity was present in subgroup analyses stratified by the eGFR and follow-up interval. Conclusion. Levels of sKlotho are positively correlated with the eGFR, and low sKlotho levels are significantly associated with an increased risk of poor kidney outcomes. Therefore, sKlotho could be used as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis and prognostic assessment for patients with chronic kidney disease. Studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up period are warranted to validate our results.

In gesture recognition, one challenge that researchers and developers face is the need for recognition strategies that mediate between false positives and false negatives. In this article, we examine bi-level thresholding, a recognition strategy that uses two thresholds: a tighter threshold limits false positives and recognition errors, and a looser threshold prevents repeated errors (false negatives) by analyzing movements in sequence. We first describe early observations that led to the development of the bi-level thresholding algorithm. Next, using a Wizard-of-Oz recognizer, we hold recognition rates constant and adjust for fixed versus bi-level thresholding; we show that systems using bi-level thresholding result in significantly lower workload scores on the NASA-TLX and significantly lower accelerometer variance when performing gesture input. Finally, we examine the effect that bi-level thresholding has on a real-world dataset of wrist and finger gestures, showing an ability to significantly improve measures of precision and recall. Overall, these results argue for the viability of bi-level thresholding as an effective technique for balancing between false positives, recognition errors, and false negatives.

An efficient simulation of shielding effectiveness of some metallic cabins or enclosures is performed using an improved Calderon preconditioner-based time-domain integral equation method. During its implementation, Rao–Wilton–Glisson and Buffa–Christiansen functions are used as the spatial basis functions for solving the Calderon preconditioned time-domain electric field integral equation, which generate a set of well-conditioned system matrices irrespective of the mesh density. Moreover, a set of approximate prolate spheroidal wave functions is chosen as the temporal basis functions; therefore, both late-time stability and accuracy are improved significantly for simulating electromagnetic pulse responses in some typical cabins. Numerical results are validated in comparison with those obtained by some commercial software. These results are useful for further evaluating electromagnetic environment effects in some complex systems.

With the development of science and technology and military strategy, the equipment platform will widely adopt new technologies such as stealth, radio frequency integration, integrated superstructure, as well as new system information systems and directed energy technology applications, etc., to meet the platform performance and system combat capabilities. The complex equipment platform will face the electromagnetic environment adaptability problem caused by the electromagnetic environment such as the platform, the formation system, the battlefield strong electromagnetic pulse environment. In particular, the strong electromagnetic pulse environment belongs to a high-power electromagnetic environment, and its energy is very large, which will pose a serious threat to modern information systems. To this end, this paper addresses the challenges faced by electronic information systems in dealing with the effects of electromagnetic environment, expounds the connotation of complex electromagnetic environment, analyzes the coupling mechanism of strong electromagnetic pulse environment and electronic information system, and explores the multi-physics damage mechanism of sensitive parts of electronic information system , Introduces the current commonly used electromagnetic protection and new electromagnetic protection methods, and puts forward suggestions for electromagnetic protection.

Background. The predictive value of soluble Klotho (sKlotho) for adverse outcomes in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) is controversial. In this study, we aimed to clarify the potential association of sKlotho levels with adverse outcomes in this patient population. Materials. A total of 211 patients on MHD were identified and stratified according to the median sKlotho level. Patients were followed up for adverse outcomes including cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and all-cause mortality. Results. During the 36-month follow-up, 75 patients [51 CV events (including 16 CV deaths) and 40 deaths] experienced adverse outcomes. After stratification according to median sKlotho level, patients with a lower sKlotho level had a greater risk of CV events (38.2% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.006 ), all-cause mortality (28.4% vs. 11.6%, p = 0.003 ), and combined adverse outcomes (51.0% vs. 24.2%, p < 0.001 ). Similar observations were made from analyses using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Cox regression analysis showed that a low sKlotho level was strongly correlated with CV morbidity [1.942 (1.030–3.661), p = 0.040 )], all-cause mortality [2.073 (1.023–4.203), p = 0.043 ], and combined adverse outcomes [1.818 (1.092–3.026), p = 0.021 ] in fully adjusted models. Conclusions. The sKlotho level was an independent predictive factor of adverse outcomes including CV morbidity and mortality in patients on MHD.

In this paper, a Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) based on the fusion structure of hollow-core fiber (HCF) and single-mode fiber (SMF) is reported. Its length can reach a level of 200 μm, which has the advantage of axial strain sensitivity, low temperature crosstalk, and a wide free spectrum range (FSR). The experimental results show that the axial strain and temperature sensitivity of FPI with the length of 200 μm is 1.50 pm/μe (R-square is 0.9999) and 1.5 pm/°C during the range of 20 °C–100 °C. A sensing structure based on a parallel Vernier effect is proposed to improve axial strain sensitivity and eliminate temperature crosstalk. Two FPIs with similar lengths are fabricated in this experiment. A 2*2 coupler parallels these two FPIs, the sensitivity of axial strain can be amplified by 22 times, and the optical path difference caused by temperature change can be eliminated. The axial strain sensitivity of the proposed sensor can reach 33.5 pm/μe owing to the parallel Vernier effect with excellent linear property (R-square is 0.9981) and negligible crosstalk of temperature. In addition, the parallel sensing structure has the advantages of repeatability, reproducibility, flexible collocation, low cost, easy preparation.

The aroylhydrazone Schiff base ligand N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-2-methoxybenzohydrazide (H2L) reacts with VO(acac)2 and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) in methanol to give the complex [N′-(2-h...

The glomerular visceral epithelial cells, also termed podocytes, are key in maintaining the normal renal filtration barrier. Although it has been demonstrated that stimulation of c‑Maf inducing protein (CMIP) expression is involved in podocyte damage, the molecular events during this process remain unclear. In the current study, CMIP‑induced proximal signaling was investigated by focusing on its effect on cofilin‑1 activity in puromycin aminonucleoside (PA)‑damaged podocytes. An obvious elevation of CMIP expression and phosphorylated (p) cofilin‑1 levels was detected in cultured podocytes treated with PA and in glomeruli isolated from PA‑induced nephropathy rats. Stable knockdown of CMIP prevented upregulation of p‑cofilin‑1 and reorganization of actin cytoskeleton in PA‑treated podocytes. The activity of the Src family kinase Fyn was reduced, whereas small GTPase Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA) activity was increased in PA‑treated podocytes. Stimulation of CMIP expression inhibited Fyn activation and decreased the expression level of p‑p190RhoGAP, a negative regulator of RhoA activity. The level of p‑LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1), a downstream effector of RhoA, increased significantly in PA‑treated podocytes. Notably, the applications of RhoA inhibitor or knockdown of LIMK prevented increase of the p‑cofilin‑1 level in PA‑treated podocytes. Thus, the current data provided evidence that the CMIP/Fyn/RhoA/cofilin‑1 signaling pathway may be associated with actin disorganization and podocyte foot process spreading following podocyte injury.

Both bentonite and CaCO3 are cheap and abundant superior regional non-metal ores in Guangxi province, so it is very meaningful to jointly exploit bentonite and CaCO3 for real applications. In this study, bentonite modified with CaCO3 (CCB) was prepared and its adsorption performance of Congo Red (CR) and Methylene Blue (MB) was evaluated by investigating the adsorption influencing effects of initial pH, SDBS and phosphate. Adsorption isotherms and adsorption kinetics models were also fitted to analysis the corresponding kinetic characteristics of CCB. The results show that CCB exhibited superior adsorption performance with the respective > 90% MB and CR removal within the initial pH range 2 ~ 10. To a certain extent, MB removal efficiencies by CCB can be increased with the addition of SDBS. On the other hand, CR adsorption on CCB was inhibited slightly in presence of SDBS. But as a whole, removal efficiencies of MB and CR by CCB were kept constant when SDBS co-existed. MB and CR adsorption on CCB decreased to some extent because of competitive adsorption effect when phosphate co-existed. It also demonstrated that CCB can remove phosphate at the same time with dyes. Adsorption models including adsorption isotherms adsorption kinetics indicated that MB and CR adsorption on CCB was a monolayer process, and the adsorption rate depended on both adsorbent and adsorbate. In summary, CCB is a promising adsorbent for dyes removal with many advantages such as simple preparation technology, excellent adsorption performance for anionic and cationic dyes, broad fitting pH range and SDBS resistance. Besides, it can remove dyes together with phosphate at the same time. Therefore, this study is very useful for the dyeing wastewater treatment and exploiting the resources of bentonite and CaCO3.

Array antenna scanning angle changes caused by FSS radome is studied in this paper. An array antenna consisting of 25 dipole and a FSS radome has good filtering properties and impedance bandwidth at large incident angles. On this basis, system consisting of a FSS radome and an array antenna is simulated. The size of FSS radome and its distance from array antenna are separately optimized to ensure that FSS radome has minimal impact on the radiation characteristics of array antenna. Simulation results show that when the scanning angle reaches 40°, optimized FSS radome will change the scanning angle of array antenna by about 0.25°. The analyzed and optimized FSS radome does not adversely affect radiation performance of array antenna. This design method can be used to add a radome to a larger size array antenna.

A multi-beam antenna fed by Rotman lens is presented in this paper. The antenna system is composed of a Rotman lens and a $8\times 8$ printed dipole antenna array. By properly comparing optical aberrations, expressing as the normalized path length errors, the suitable ratio of on-axis to off-axis focal length $(g=G/F)$ is acquired so as to minimize phase errors for the array elements. Ten dummy ports are used to reduce the deterioration of performance due to energy reflection. A sample antenna was simulated, covering a wide scanning angle of±40°. The simulated beam patterns show that the eleven beam gains are distributed from 17.8 to 19.9 dBi under operating of 3.15 GHz, and similar results are obtained over 20% of the relative bandwidth. The great simulated results are used to verify the design approach.

Due to factors such as manufacturing process, installation conditions, etc., TWP in practical engineering often do not fit well with double helix. In this paper, the time-domain field-line coupling model is established base on the transmission line theory, and the time-domain coupling characteristics of the non-uniform twisting TWP are analyzed by using the chain parameter and multi-port cascade method. The calculation results show that, within the 0–1GHz frequency band, the coupling energy does not increase when the total length of the twisted pair increases. Within the 0–400MHz frequency band, the coupling energy increases versus the increasing of the pitch length, and there is a maximum coupling energy at the frequency point corresponding to the different pitch length.

This study aimed to evaluate repression of Klotho on unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in mice. Renal fibrosis model was established by UUO in C57BL/6 male mice. Recombinant Klotho protein was administered to UUO mice as treatment group, and the mice in sham and UUO group were administered with an equal volume of vehicle. EndoMT biomarkers and TGF-β1/Smad2/Snail1 signaling were examined by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting assays. UUO deteriorated kidney function and resulted in increased expression of the mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin and decreased expression of vascular endothelial cadherin, an endothelial marker. Moreover, UUO enhanced TGF-β1, phosphorylated Smad2 (p-Smad2), and Snail1 expression. Interestingly, Klotho treatment suppressed UUO-induced TGF-β1, p-Smad3, and Snail1 expression, which was accompanied by alleviation of the EndoMT process. Our findings demonstrated that Klotho significantly ameliorated EndoMT progression by targeting TGF-β1/Smad/Snail1 signaling in UUO mice, which provides the possibility for Klotho-based therapeutic protection against renal fibrosis.

A novel method incorporating the active element pattern (AEP) into the quantum search algorithm (QSA) procedure is presented to efficiently synthesize linear microstrip antenna arrays including mutual coupling. The proposed method has better pattern synthesis accuracy than the gravitational search algorithm (GSA). Numerical examples are given for synthesizing the Cosec-squared patterns of microstrip antenna arrays. Synthesis results show the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed method

Klotho deficiency is implicated in various kidney diseases, including renal fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Klotho administration on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and renal fibrosis induced by cyclosporine A (CsA) in rats. CsA-induced renal fibrosis was established by oral administration of CsA (30 mg/kg) to rats on a low-salt diet for 28 days. Klotho was administered to rats by intraperitoneal injection. Renal pathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. The EMT response was assessed by measuring the level of TGF-β1, E-cadherin and α-SMA by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Administration of CsA for 28 days induced renal damage, decreased Klotho expression and activated the EMT response (demonstrated as increased TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression accompanied by decreased in E-cadherin expression). Treatment with Klotho significantly ameliorated pathological lesions of the kidney by modulating the expression of EMT-associated proteins in the kidney. Klotho inhibits CsA-induced EMT and renal fibrosis in rats. Klotho may serve as a therapeutic agent to minimize CsA-induced renal fibrosis.

A new Pb(II) compound, namely {Pb2(L)2(H2O)2}n (1 H2L = 5-(pyridyl-4-ylmethoxy)isophthalic acid), has been synthesized by the reactions of Pb(II) ions and H2L. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that compound 1 features a three-dimensional (3D) chiral framework based on 1D right-handed helical {Pb2(COO)2}n chains. Moreover, the luminescent property of 1 was also investigated in the solid state at room temperature.

A new heterometallic-organic framework, namely [CuCa(tdc)2(DMF)]n (1 H2tdc = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid, DMF = N,N’-dimethylformamide), has been successfully obtained through the solvothermal reactions of CuCl2, Ca(NO3)2, and H2tdc. Single-crystal structural analysis reveals that compound 1 features a 3D framework with the irl topology. Compound 1 has potential unsaturated metal sites after the removal of the coordinated DMF molecules, so it exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the diethylzinc addition to benzaldehyde.

Via the solvothermal reactions of Cd(NO3)2 and H2L, a new Cd(II) compound, namely [Cd(L)]n (1 H2L = 5-CH2OH-isophthalic acid), was obtained. This compound was further characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, elemental analyses, and powder X-ray diffraction analyses. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that compound 1 features a 3D framework based on dinuclear [Cd2(COO)2] subunits. Topological analysis reveals that compound 1 represents a new (4, 8)-connected topology. In addition, the luminescent property of 1 was also investigated at room temperature.

A new Mn(II) coordination polymer, namely [Mn(impy)(NH2-pbc)]n (1 NH2-H2pbc = 2-aminoterephthalic acid, impy = 2,6-bis(1-imdazoly)pyridine), has been synthesized through solvothermal reactions of M...

A new Cd(II) coordination polymer, namely {Cd3(pbdc)3(e-murea)(DMF)}n·n(e-murea) (1, H2pbdc = terephthalic acid, e-murea = 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, DMF = N,N'-dimethylformamide), has been successfully synthesized via the urothermal reactions of Cd(II) ions and terephthalic acid ligand. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis reveals that 1 features a two-dimensional layer framework with rod-shaped hexanuclear {Cd6(COO)12} clusters as building subunits. In addition, the luminescent property of 1 was also studied at room temperature.

The time-domain responses of some broadband low profile microstrip filter-antenna of the complex electrical information system in the presence of an exterior electromagnetic pulses (EMP) is studied in this conference paper. An efficient numerical method based on conformal FDTD method is implanted for studying an EMP coupling with some typical broadband low profile microstrip filter-antennas widely used in the different communication systems. The induced time-domain voltages and currents characteristics of the antenna illuminated by different incident EMPs are shown and compared in detail.

A printed wideband dipole with high gain and anti-interference characteristic is designed in this paper. The antenna is composed of two microstrip open-loop resonators, a parallel coupled line, a wideband dipole, and two radiation guide lines. The parallel coupled line is designed as an admittance converter. It is used to connect the wideband dipole and the microstrip open-loop resonator. The dipole performs not only radiator, but also a resonator of the filter. The radiation guide lines are used to increase the gain of the dipole. Simulation results show that the integrated dipole has high gain, good impedance bandwidth and out-of-band rejection characteristic.

Ginsenoside-Rg1 (G-Rg1) is an agent isolated from Panax ginseng that exerts anti-fibrotic effects; however, the mechanism is still unclear. Herein, we investigated whether G-Rg1 administration can mitigate or reverse unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis by regulating the Klotho/transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad signaling pathway in rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were subjected to UUO, and rats in the treatment group were administered G-Rg1 or G-Rg1 plus Klotho short hairpin RNA interference (shRNA), while rats in the control and model groups were administered vehicle for 14 d. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers and Klotho/TGF-β1 signaling molecules were examined by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry showed that UUO induced increased pro-fibrotic TGF-β1 expression, overexpression of the mesenchymal marker, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and suppression of the epithelial marker, E-cadherin. Moreover, Western blotting analysis indicated that UUO promoted TGF-β1 and phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) expression (p

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of quinoline on nitrogen removal performance and microbial community of an anaerobic biofilm reactor with anammox activity. Results showed that 20 m...

A new miniature micro-strip filter-antenna with broad stop-band characteristic is designed in this paper. The filter-antenna consists of two SIR (stepped impedance resonators), parallel coupled line and inverter L-shaped antenna. The antenna plays role of not only a radiator, but also one resonator of the filter. The SIR gives a way to control spurious response frequency which leads to a wide stop-band. And length of SIR is smaller than UIR (Uniform impedance resonator) in the same resonant frequency which can reduce the size of the filter-antenna. The filter-antenna has been simulated by HFSS.17. The results show that the filter-antenna has about 8% (2.36–2.55GHz) fractional bandwidth in condition that S11 g , × 0.5λ g , which is much less than UIR filter-antenna.

Solvothermal reactions of Zn(NO 3 ) 2 , H 2 tdc and bib in the presence of different solvents (DMF = N,N’- dimethylformamide or DMA = N,N’- dimethylacetamide) have given rise to two new coordination polymers, namely [Zn 2 (tdc) 2 (bib) 2 ] n ·2n(H 2 O) ( 1 ) and [Zn(tdc)(bib) 0.5 (H 2 O)] n ( 2 ) (H 2 tdc = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid, bib = 1, 4-bis(imidazolyl)butane). The structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and characterized by elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Compound 1 exhibits a 4-fold interpenetrated dia topological network, and compound 2 features a 8-fold interpenetrated ths topological network. In addition, thermal stabilities and solid state luminescent properties of these two compounds were also investigated.

Two zinc(II) coordination polymers, namely [Zn2(bptc)(DMF)2(H2O)]n (1) and [Zn(bptc)0.5(DMA)]n (2) (H4bptc = biphenyl-3,3′,5,5′-tetracarboxylic acid, DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide, DMA = N,N′-dimethylacetamide), were obtained under solvothermal conditions by varying the reaction solvents. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that compound 1 features a 3D PtS type framework based on dinuclear [Zn2O(COO)2] subunits and compound 2 features a 3D lvt type framework based on paddle-wheel shaped [Zn2(COO)4] subunits. Moreover, the luminescent and thermal stabilities of these two compounds were investigated.

The zinc(II) complex [Zn(FA)(datrz)2]n (1) (H2FA = fumaric acid, Hdatrz = 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole) was synthesized by solvothermal reaction of H2FA, Hdatrz, and Zn(NO3)2. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis revealed that compound 1 features a three-dimensional (3D) porous framework, which represents a 6-connected pcu topological network. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicates that compound 1 has high thermal stability. The permanent porosity of 1 was investigated by the adsorption of N2 and CO2. The amino groups of 1 enable high CO2 adsorption capacity.

An internal-circulate sequencing batch airlift reactor (IC-SBAR) has been developed to evaluate the efficiency of phenol and ammonia removal in treating synthetic wastewater. This study examined the effect of operation cycle on this system. Results showed that above 97.0% removal efficiencies of ammonia and phenol were achieved, which indicated that ammonia and phenol removals were not related to operation cycle. The average removal efficiency of 91.7% for chemical oxygen demand (COD) was achieved when the static/aerobic/settling time was 240 min/440 min/40 min. It was found that COD removal efficiency increased due to the time of operation cycle being prolonged. The average removal efficiencies of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) were 65.8, 69.3 and 68.9% when average TIN concentrations were 78.0, 97.6 and 88.4 mg/L, respectively, in the influent. A cycle study showed that most phenol was degraded by aerobic microbes. Increasing the static time from 120 to 240 min resulted in the accumulation of NO2−-N, which indicated that the structures of the nitrifying bacterial community were changed.

Presented here are two new luminescent Zn(II) coordination polymers, [Zn 3 (pdc) 3 (Hmtz)] n ( 1) and [Zn 3 (ntd)(mtz) 4 (DMA) 2 ] n ( 2 ) (H 2 pdc = terephthalic acid, H 2 ntd = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, Hmtz = 5-methyl-1H-tetrazole). Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that compound 1 features a 8-connected hex topological framework with the schlafli symbol of {3 6 .4 18 .5 3 .6}, while compound 2 features a (3,4)-connected tfi topological framework with the schlafli symbol of {6 2 .8 4 }{6 2 .8} 2 . The thermal stabilities and luminescent properties of 1 – 2 were also investigated.

Introduction This study tested the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) in cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress on renal tubular cell apoptosis in a rat model of chronic CsA nephropathy. Materials and Methods Twenty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 3 groups: a control group, a model group (CsA 25 mg/kg per day), and a G-Rg1 treatment group (CsA 25 mg/kg per day and G-Rg1 20 mg/kg per day). We examined the effects of G-Rg1 on histopathology, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining, and expression of glucose-regulated protein 78, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein, and caspase-3 by using Western blot analysis. Results G-Rg1 attenuated CsA-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis and reduced tubular epithelial cell apoptosis as assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining and caspase-3 expression. Compared with the model group, it reduced the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (0.12 ± 0.03 vs 0.48 ± 0.05 [P Conclusions G-Rg1 mitigates the progression of chronic CsA nephropathy, at least in part, through inhibition of ER stress–triggered tubular cell apoptosis.